Cop Gun Thief Is Apprehended, Is Also Cop

Earlier this year, in a super-embarrassing incident for the NYPD, four 9mm guns and a bulletproof vest were stolen from the East Village’s 9th Precinct. On Friday, the culprit was arraigned and held without bail. Guess what: the gun thief is a police officer who was working out of the same precinct.

Officer Nicholas Mina has been charged with conspiracy, criminal sale and possession of a firearm, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and criminal sale of a controlled substance. Mina was discovered when undercover detectives engaged in a stolen weapons-sting noticed some guns were loaded with police-issue ammo.

Mina allegedly sold the four stolen guns, the bulletproof vest, and his own gun to Ivan Chavez, to whom he owed money for the oxycodone and methadone he had purchased. Chavez was also arrested.

When David Fisher, Officer Mina’s attorney, asked that his client be released on bail, Justice Edward J. McLaughlin of State Supreme Court in Manhattan said, “I don’t believe there is any bail that would assure this person’s appearance in this courtroom ever.” (Photo: Rob Barrett/Flickr)